Primary school pupils in Kano State have voiced their dissatisfaction over the frequent thefts of their belongings and the shortage of proper toilet facilities in their schools.

The students urged the state government to build more toilets on school grounds to improve their convenience and to erect fences for better security.

This plea came during an interview with reporters who were touring projects funded by the government as part of its State of Emergency initiative in the education sector.

While they appreciated the government’s declaration of a State of Emergency in education, the pupils stressed the importance of improving toilet facilities for the success of the initiative.

The students shared that the current toilets in their schools are woefully insufficient, leading some to either rely on toilets at home or resort to open defecation.

Saminu Sunusi, the Headboy of Yelwa Model Primary School in Dala Local Government Area, explained that the school only has two toilets, which is clearly inadequate.

“Because of the insufficient number of toilets, some of us have to wait in long queues, while others end up defecating near the toilets,” Sunusi said.

Hadiza Ahmed Sulaiman, the Headgirl of the same school, pointed out that the toilets also lack access to clean water, hindering proper sanitation.

“We need at least ten toilets with running water to maintain proper hygiene,” Sulaiman added.

Nura Yusuf, Headboy of Ungogo Special Primary School in Ungogo Local Government Area, also lamented the lack of toilets, forcing students to take desperate measures when nature calls.

“When we need to go, we often have to use spaces within the school grounds or head home during breaks,” Yusuf said.

His counterpart, Headgirl Jamila Isa Suleiman, noted that the situation is especially problematic for female pupils who are forced to relieve themselves in the open.

All the pupils interviewed appealed to the state government to prioritize the construction of more toilet facilities in schools, ensuring students have proper access to sanitation during school hours.